Tag Archives: Africa

How I spent January’s living allowance

Posted on February 12, 2018 by elliewick

The answer to this question is easy: on vacation. I reflected some of those costs here, but in truth, I easily spent the entire allowance on my trip. I just tallied the costs listed here, and they are a few … Continue reading →

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How I spent December’s living allowance

Posted on February 8, 2018 by elliewick

I stayed well under budget in the normal expenses of December, but I ate out four times and mailed two packages for Christmas that took a ridiculously long time to get to the U.S. I also tried to shop ahead … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: The view from my bed

Posted on February 7, 2018 by elliewick

When my curtains are open on the side of my house, I can see straight from my bed to this beautiful tree in my front yard. I consulted my wildlife guide but couldn’t make up my mind that this tree … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Hikes with friends

Posted on January 31, 2018 by elliewick

One of my goals for 2018 is to see more of Swaziland. This includes increasing visits to my local park, Mlilwane National Park. A friend and former volunteer in Swaziland visited with her son, so in addition to visiting my … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Death and life

Posted on January 24, 2018 by elliewick

I woke up on Tuesday to the news that Hugh Masekela, a South African musician who performed at Bushfire last year, had died. Watching him perform was beautiful, especially because of the way a 78-year-old musician was still rocking on … Continue reading →

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The books of 2017

Posted on January 16, 2018 by elliewick

Peace Corps service comes with a lot of free time. At the beginning of my service I read less because I was trying so hard to integrate into my community. Now I am taking better care of my self by … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Okavango Delta

Posted on January 3, 2018 by elliewick

The tour I am on included a night spent in the Okavango Delta and two walking safaris. Transportation was via mokoro, which is like a canoe. They used to be made of wood from the sausage tree, but now they … Continue reading →

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Wednesday photo: Okaukuejo water hole

Posted on December 27, 2017 by elliewick

After a fantastic game drive, we arrived back to camp just at sunset. I hurried to the water hole and saw this. That’s a black rhino in the center and two giraffe on the right.  It was a beautiful moment.

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The chicken diaries: Slaughter time

Posted on December 22, 2017 by elliewick

I became a parent to two chickens I named Sitfwatfwa (snow) and Thandi (love) in January 2017. This is their story. Make told me it was time for one of my roosters to die. It took a few days for … Continue reading →

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Introducing my parents to Swazi song and dance

Posted on December 18, 2017 by elliewick

For as much as I wanted work experience in Africa, my time as a PCV in Swaziland has largely been spent with me wholeheartedly embracing Swazi culture. After a few stops on our way to Swaziland from the Johannesburg airport, we started our … Continue reading →

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